Ticos Stock Up for “Dry Days” - Gringos Make Alternate Super Bowl Plans
In what is a tradition almost as much as flying flags with your party’s colors in every election, Ticos on Friday rushed to the supermarkets and liquor stores to stock up on beverages. No beer, wine or liquor may be sold Saturday, Sunday or Monday in Costa Rica. This is according to article 80 of the election code and is intended to eliminate brawls or people "buying votes" in cantinas.
Most ticos take the dry law in stride and stock up in advance "It is like a preventative measure ", argued one youth who was buying 18 cans of beer. "One for each candidate and 4 more for the road!", he said.
Gringo tourists who did not stock up will be in for a big shock on Super Bowl Sunday, as not even hotels with foreign clientele are allowed to sell booze on Sunday. However, they may be able to find discrete points of sale in certain areas. The penalty for selling alchohol on the dry days is 3 months to 2 years in jail.